RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC--(Marketwired - August 25, 2015) - New research from pharmaceutical intelligence firm Cutting Edge Information shows that patients and physicians are looking for targeted comparative effectiveness data as they make treatment decisions. While working with these stakeholders is not new for most companies, these relationships continue to grow in importance.

Comparative effectiveness teams at pharmaceutical companies now engage directly with both patients and physicians to see how manufacturers can be more responsive to their needs. In particular, high-priced specialty products now require a health economics strategy that takes into account the full healthcare delivery process, including the specific treatment pathway.

"The ultimate decision by the prescribing physician and the patient on whether or not to use a product depends on a range of factors, only some of which are in their control," said Jacob Presson, senior analyst at Cutting Edge Information. "Payer formularies, economic constraints, adherence issues, and provider practice mean that patients may not always have complete control over what therapy is prescribed."

The best way for companies to respond to patient and physicians needs is through the targeted use of comparative effectiveness research. This means engaging with stakeholders in every part of the healthcare system to understand how to best direct comparative effectiveness research that results in real changes to how treatments are conducted. Insurers and providers have a different perspective on specific treatment pathways from manufacturers that may lead to innovative new comparative effectiveness research.

"Comparative Effectiveness Research: Value Stories that Engage Patients, Physicians and Payers," available at http://www.cuttingedgeinfo.com/research/market-access/comparative-effectiveness-research/, provides data on how comparative effectiveness groups are structured and metrics on the cost and duration of comparative effectiveness studies. The report examines the changing priorities with regards to conducting comparative effectiveness research in the US. Highlights include:

• Benchmarking data showing total comparative effectiveness spending and CER spending per product from 2013 to 2015
• Metrics showing the means of collecting CER data, the cost of CER studies (overall and per month) and their duration
• Best practices showing how CER can meet all stakeholder needs' and build relationships in provider and patient communities

For more information about "Comparative Effectiveness Research: Value Stories that Engage Patients, Physicians and Payers," and other health economics related topics, please download the report summary at http://www.cuttingedgeinfo.com/download/?ref=31046.